Gary Deaton

Gary L. Deaton, of Dayton, Ohio, born January 2, 1951, passed away on October 19, 2026. He is preceded in death by his father, Arnold Deaton, and by his son, James Scott “Scotty” Deaton—a tragic loss and heartbreak Gary carried with him every day.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Sturr, and his mother, Christine Deaton; his stepsons Robert Bair Jr. (Jara) and Jeffrey Bair (Amy); his special cousins Patty Woodbury and Angie Voris; many close and dear friends including his longtime friend and “brother,” Tim Schwab; along with additional aunts and cousins. Gary also leaves behind his faithful and loving K9 companion, Quinn, who was always at his side and adored it when “daddy” sang him a bedtime lullaby. Gary would insist we extend a special thank‑you to Dr. Matthew Heckler for not only keeping him “in the game,” but for offering years of friendship.

Gary attended Orville Wright Grade School and graduated from Wilbur Wright High School in 1969. He retired from CSX Railroad in Jacksonville, Florida, later representing Miken Softball Equipment, and spent many years working at Jeff Schmidt Auto Group until his passing.

When you think of Gary Deaton, the first phrase that comes to mind is “larger than life.” He was a natural athlete who excelled at anything he tried: wrestling, body building, golf, bowling, fishing, racing drag boats, collecting and showing classic cars, riding Harleys, and—above all—softball. Calling softball his passion would be an understatement; Gary lived to play ball. Remarkably, he pitched for nearly 60 years and was a force to be reckoned with on the field. He played on teams across the United States, earning multiple championships, MVP titles, Home Run Derby wins, Triple Crown Classics, and a place in the Dayton Legends Hall of Fame, National Senior Softball Hall of Fame and FSSA Legends Hall of Fame. He was, in every sense, a legend of the game.

Second only to softball was Gary’s love of golf. Wherever tournaments took him, he brought his clubs—always finding time to play some of the most prestigious courses across the country.

If you were Gary’s friend, you knew he loved a steak dinner at Jeff Ruby’s, and a good cigar with a glass of bourbon at the Dublin Pub. Charismatic and outgoing, Gary never met a stranger; instead, he collected lifelong friendships with people from all walks of life. To all his close and dear friends — you know who you are — there are far too many to list. Gary loved you, cherished each and every one of you, and held your many shared memories close to his heart.

Gary was also an incredible storyteller. His tales from a life fully lived were the kind you’d swear had to be exaggerated — yet every unbelievable detail was true. During his years serving as a bodyguard for several celebrities, including a few from Dayton, he collected stories that were as wild as they were genuine, and he relished sharing them. And in classic Gary fashion, he loved to remind everyone that he was “pretty,” delivering the line with a grin that made the whole room laugh. Whether he was recounting an adventure from those days, a moment on the field, or a memory from his travels, Gary had a gift for drawing people in and making them feel like they were right there beside him.

Gary had a true zeal for living. He would tell you he lived life to the fullest—not without hardships or failures, but always with a determination to find the positive in every situation. In recent years, he faced several medical setbacks and surgeries. He met each challenge head‑on, with unwavering determination and deep faith in God.

Although we are deeply saddened by his sudden passing, we find comfort knowing he is with his Savior—free from pain and suffering. We look forward to seeing him again in Heaven, where we hope there is softball, and where he is hitting home runs with the angels.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Milton Athletic Club, 640 Cosler Drive, Dayton, OH 45403. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in Gary’s honor.